Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 19 (HBTV): The rise in the Ramganga river water level has created a flood-like situation in nearby areas, destroying crops in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad and leaving farmers in distress as they await government compensation.

Sugarcane and paddy fields were submerged, causing heavy financial losses to farmers. The exact estimate of the damage is yet to be calculated.

Moradabad Divisional Statistical Officer of the Horticulture Department, Harjeet Singh, said that farmers insured under the Fasal Beema Yojana will be compensated accordingly.

‘We don’t have an exact estimate of the loss yet. If the farmers have insurance under the Fasal Beema Yojana, they will be insured accordingly. The government will decide the compensation for the farmers. We are helping and guiding the farmers as much as we can,’ he stated.

Sanjay, a farmer whose paddy and sugarcane fields were destroyed, described the financial difficulties he faces: ‘There was sugarcane, there was paddy... everything was destroyed in the floods. When the water level decreases, I will have to replant all the crops. There would have been a loss of INR 20,000. The government should think about this. I will have to take a loan again.’

Several regions across northern India are witnessing heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, leading to loss of life and property. The water level of several rivers has crossed the danger mark.

The Yamuna River is also flowing above the danger mark after all 18 gates of the Hathinikund Barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar were opened on Sunday due to continuous rain. Visuals of the river at Delhi’s ITO show the water crossing the danger mark, raising concerns among authorities.

Earlier, all 18 gates of the Hathinikund Barrage were opened after 1.78 lakh cusecs of water entered the river due to heavy rainfall, resulting in a sharp rise in the water level.

Vijay Garg, Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, said: ‘1.78 lakh cusecs of water has come into the river after the recent rainfall. This is the highest water level of this season.’

(ANI)